SERVICE.--Duty at Yorktown, Va., and on the Peninsula,
Va., until July, 1863. Dix's Peninsula Campaign June 24-July 7.
Expedition from White House to Bottom's Bridge July 1-7. Skirmish
at Baltimore Cross Roads July 2. Ordered to Washington, D.C.,
July 8; thence to Harrisburg, and mustered out July 27, 1863.

Regiment lost during service 6 by disease.

The troops composing this regiment were from:

Berks County

Lancaster County

Montgomery County

Pike County

Wayne County

City of Philadelphia

They were organized in companies at periods ranging from the 23d of October
to the 6th of December, 1862, and on the 8th of December a regimental
organization was effected, with the following field officers:

William H. Blair, Colonel

Daniel M. Yost, Lieutenant Colonel

William H. Yerkes, Major

Colonel Blair was at the time serving as Captain in the Fifty-first Regiment,
and did not join his new command until January, 1863. Before leaving
Philadelphia, company E was detached, and sent for duty to the Chestnut Hill
Hospital, where, with the exception of a short period soon after the battle of
Gettysburg, in which it had charge of paroled prisoners in camp near West
Chester, it remained until the close of its service.

Soon after its organization, the regiment proceeded to Fortress Monroe,
and thence to Yorktown, where it formed part of the garrison at the fort, and
was encamped within its walls. Upon assuming command, Colonel Blair commenced a
thorough discipline of his men, with the most flattering results. Colonel Robert
M. West, Chief of Artillery and Ordnance at the fort, says of it:

"It improved rapidly, and eventually became a first-class regiment,
remarkable for its proficiency in drill, the cleanliness and good order of its
camp, and the quiet, orderly demeanor of the men. I never saw improvement more
marked and rapid than in this case."

It did little else than garrison duty until the last of July, when it was
called out to join in the movement made by General Dix, up the Peninsula.

" When the movement upon Richmond was made," says Colonel West in
the document above quoted, " by General Dix, in the summer of this year,
I was in command of the 'Advanced Brigade,' of the forces that moved up the
Peninsula. It became necessary to strengthen my brigade with an additional
regiment, and the commanding general authorized me to designate any one I
chose. I immediately named the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth, and,
accordingly, Colonel Blair reported to me with his regiment, and became a part
of my command. During the march to White House, and thence to Baltimore Cross
Roads, where my brigade was engaged upon two occasions, Colonel Blair's
regiment was prompt and ready, and always well in hand. A peculiarity about
his command was that it never had a straggler. During the return march,-the
most severe on account of a drenching storm, of any I ever performed,-the One
Hundred and Seventy-ninth crowned its reputation as a first-class
organization, by being always closed and promptly in its place, whilst other
regiments. were scattered for miles along the road."

Upon its return to camp, it was ascertained that Lee had invaded
Pennsylvania, and though its term of service was about to expire, by the
unanimous vote of the men, by companies, their further services were tendered to
Governor Curtin as long as he should need them for the defense of the State.
This offer was accepted; but by the time the regiment had reached Washington, en
route to the front, the rebel army had retreated to Virginia. It was,
accordingly, ordered to Harrisburg, where, on the 27th of July, it was mustered
out of service.